Complaints against PM Modi's speech 'under ECI consideration'

Complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at a rally in Rajasthan on Sunday are "under consideration" of the Election Commission of India (ECI), people aware of the matter said on Tuesday.

Congress had filed a complaint with ECI on Monday over Modi's remarks on its manifesto that Congress party would redistribute the country's resources to "infiltrators" and "those who have many children". CPIM also took the matter to the poll panel, seeking proceedings against the PM and BJP for allegedly "inciting communal passions and hatred" and violating model code amid the ongoing elections.

"Complaint regarding PM's speech has been received and is under consideration of the commission," said a person in the know of developments at ECI.


ECI had declined to comment on the issue the day before.

Meanwhile, BJP sharpened its attack on Congress on Tuesday, specifically targeting its manifesto for alleged "appeasement".

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said in Baghpat: "Congress says they will implement Sharia law, which means they want to create a threat to the Constitution made by Babasaheb Ambedkar. They want to implement the Taliban rule."

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said at a rally in Kerala that the Congress manifesto was "more for the people of Pakistan and less for the people of India".

Amid BJP onslaught, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sought time with PM Modi to explain the party's manifesto and request him not to "mislead" the public.

P Chidambaram, the chairman of the party's manifesto committee, countered BJP and challenged it to find a single para in the manifesto that indicated "appeasement". He said the manifesto aimed at ensuring justice to every section of society "irrespective of religion".